A Mundelein man on parole for murder was arrested after authorities say he tried carjacking a grandfather at gunpoint while his grandchild was in the car in DuPage County.
Anton Cross, 24, of Mundelein, was charged with attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The Naperville Police Department was called around 12:13 p.m. Friday to the 1300 block of McDowell Road for a report of an attempted carjacking.
Prosecutors said Cross approached a man who was putting his grandson into his vehicle.
Cross reportedly asked the victim for directions and the victim gave Cross directions.
Cross then pulled out a firearm and told the man to “give me your f—ing keys,” prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Cross fled the scene after the victim refused to hand over the keys to the car, which contained the child.
An observant citizen called 911 approximately 40 minutes later to report a suspicious person hiding in the bushes near Hinterlong Lane, which is approximately a mile and a half away from the attempted carjacking.
Officers located Cross, who began running from officers and dropped a loaded Glock handgun during the pursuit. Cross was taken into custody following the foot chase, prosecutors said.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin called Cross’ actions “outrageous” and said they will be met with the “full force and effect of the law.”
“We are all very thankful that no harm came to the victim or his grandson,” Berlin said.
Cross is currently on parole for second-degree murder out of Kane County.
Cross was sentenced to nine years in prison for fatally shooting an 18-year-old man in Elgin in December 2016.
State records show Cross was admitted to a state prison in July 2021 and released on parole this past January.
A judge set bond at $200,000 during an initial court hearing Saturday morning.
Cross remains held in the DuPage County Jail and will appear in court again on July 10.